Fall Maintenance Checklist

The air is getting chilly and if you’re a homeowner, that means it’s time for fall maintenance. Early fall is a great time to prepare your home for the colder weather ahead. We’ve compiled a fall checklist to make keeping up with autumn maintenance a breeze.

Find & Seal Air Leaks

Sealing holes and cracks in and around your home will keep valuable heat in and cold outside air out all fall and help save on energy costs.

Make exterior repairs.

Take a walk around your property, looking for signs of damage to the roof, siding, and foundation. If you spot anything that needs repair, schedule it before winter weather hits.

Check safety devices. 

Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries as needed. Also, check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher and replace it if needed.

Get Your Chimney Inspected 

Most chimney sweeps recommend an annual sweep, but depending on how often you use the fireplace or woodstove, you might be able to wait on a full sweep. If you are using the fireplace or woodstove often, call a chimney sweep for an inspection.

Clean out gutters

It's best to inspect and clean your gutters a few times during the fall, especially if there are many trees around your house. If gutters remain clogged, water will spill over them and onto the ground next to the foundation, which can cause damage to the foundation or flood basements. Gutters and downspouts should be kept clean and should direct water away from the foundation and from walkways and driveways to not become slippery or icy.

Yard maintenance

The orange, yellow and brown colors of the autumn leaves don't look as lovely on the ground as they do on the trees. Rake or blow the leaves into piles and put them at the curb according to your town's yard waste requirements.

Disconnect garden hoses and, if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of the pipes freezing in the section of pipe just inside the house.

Upgrades Around the House

Is your furnace nearing the end of its life? If you're anticipating furnace replacement, plan for a high-efficiency unit. The upfront cost may be higher, but you'll save more in the long run through lower operating costs. Look for the ENERGY STAR label when furnace shopping.

 Consider upgrading your windows, especially if they're single-pane, decades-old, or in a state of disrepair. Inefficient windows can be the weakest spot in a home's thermal envelope, and multi-pane, gas-filled windows can make a world of difference in both energy savings and comfort.